Chapter 23
I had spent the night hidden in my bedroom, repeatedly replaying what went down in the tutoring session. And yes, I refused to talk to anyone. Especially Matt and his inability to understand when it was appropriate to be a little more sensitive versus telling it straight, as he liked to say.
And I’m certain I had bombed Haven’s test, which meant more tutoring with Gavin. No idea how I’d navigate that shitfest. Avoidance seemed the only way to salvage my dignity and my demolished heart.
I had wasted the entire night conjuring up ways I could get the J. Geils Band to have a reunion and write an updated version of Love Stinks. Maybe Love Sucks Dog Shit. Too stalker-crazy?
Unfortunately, sometimes I got what I wished for. I had requested Gavin let me go, and the bastard did. Didn’t try to call or text or email. Nothing.
Yeah, I had asked for it, but a part of me still hoped Gavin might not be over me yet. How he would come beg on his knees to have me take him back, all the while professing how he would never speak to his female friend again. Ridiculous, right?
I went to class Thursday, and on Friday had sat on the opposite side of the room from Gavin during composition. Like a chicken-shit, I had bolted out again before he had a chance to catch me. Relief flooded me when we were not required to talk with our “soundboards.”
Though Thursday night mimicked Wednesday’s pathetic state, at least Friday night improved slightly when I had morphed into Lizzie Bennett while watching the 1996 Colin Firth version of Pride and Prejudice. At least someone got their Happily Ever After.
After consuming a pint of chocolate chip cookie dough before falling asleep in my clothes, I had awoken to chocolaty drool on my pillow.
I had excelled at finding things to do while locked in my room: working on my composition piece, homework, writing letters to Gavin and ripping them up, writing letters to J. Geils and ripping them up.
After several days in seclusion, the takeout menu for the Thai place down the street rested in my lap. My staple of tofu and shrimp Pad Thai sounded mighty delish.
“Louie, love.” Nick’s voice muffled through the door, causing me to adjust the covers over my head. In case he had x-ray vision and could see through solid matter.
“We know you’re in there.” Sierra’s voice surprised me, since she appreciated the importance of my wallowing pity-party-time. Traitor.
“Louise, if you don’t open this door, I’m going to knock it down. You know I can.” Fucking rat bastard Matt.
I threw the covers off and trudged toward the door, opening it a crack.
“I’m fine. See? You can all go away now.” I slammed the door, shutting out my friends literally and figuratively.
Being the ass he was, Matt shoved my door open and forced his way in.
“No joke, Matt. I want to be alone right now.”
“Wrong answer.” Matt nodded at my roommates. “We’re staging an intervention. You’ve had plenty of time to feel dejected and gloomy. Now, it’s time to enter the land of the living again. We’re going to Groove.” He narrowed his eyes to almost lines of string.
“You may want to change your clothes, and I don’t know, do something with your hair and find a toothbrush? Because you stink.”
“So sweet of you. Makes me want to address these issues right away.” I directed my exhale on Matt as he fled behind Nick.
“We care about you. And it’s true, you do smell,” Nick concurred. “It’s time to take care of yourself and we can start with basic hygiene. Because right now you look more like an escaped prisoner than anything else. Not a good look for you, love.”
Sierra stood against the doorway, arms crossed. “Okay, boys, out.”
“I mean it.” Matt gestured air brushing his teeth. “At the very least.”
“Out,” Sierra commanded. She pushed them on their backs and shut the door.
“You know I love you with all my heart. I do. And I gave you space. But now it’s time to come back to us. And we would be sucky friends if we let you waste another weekend night.” She wandered over to my closet and pulled out some black skinny jean Capris, a heather pink tank top, and a black cotton wrap and threw them at me. “Wear these, and your cute knee-high black boots.”
Fifteen minutes later, I showered, brushed my teeth, and threw my hair up into a messy bun. I genuinely considered opting out of the teeth brushing to spite the boys. Chances of my lips finding themselves on another pair anytime soon were about zero percent. Especially tonight.
We piled into Nick’s Jag because Sierra was the designated driver and called dibs on joy-riding. If they were dragging me out to Groove, I wasn’t wasting the evening by staying sober. Opportunities for drunkenness at Groove were few and far between for me, since I usually agreed to be the designated driver.
We arrived as the first band set up the stage. We navigated to the table Nick had reserved.
“What do you all want?” Nick asked.
“The usual, strawberry daiquiri for me,” Sierra said. She pulled out her phone and checked her texts. “Emmy’s on her way, and she wants a Long Island.”
I raised my finger. “Make it two daiquiris.” Hell, I didn’t normally drink but since they forced me out of my safe room, I was going to have alcohol, dammit.
“Regular for me.” Matt alluded to the same micro-brew Nick ordered.
“Well, I’m proud of you. You changed clothes, brushed your hair, and your teeth. Well done.” Matt clapped slow and loud.
“You’re obnoxious.”
“Yep. But you love me.” He wrapped his arm around me and squeezed.
“Lord knows why.” I laid my head momentarily on his shoulder.
“Because I’m your hero, that’s why.”
I scoffed, turning to Sierra. “What’s going on in the land of Sierra? Any boys you might actually consider introducing us to?”
Sierra tossed her hair to the side, and grinned. “Nothing serious right now. There’s a guy in my still life class who’s super cute. But I haven’t decided if I want to risk it or not.”
“Actually risk having a relationship beyond two weeks?” Matt leaned onto the table toward her.
“I don’t think anyone asked you, Mateo.” She scowled at him.
Matt shrugged his shoulders. “Truth hurts.” He grunted.
“Like you’re one to talk, having an affair with your advisor.” Sierra’s eyes were now about half their width, and she flipped him off. Seemed to be a theme with them. Him saying something to piss her off, and her giving him the bird.
“Hey, at least it’s lasted longer than two weeks, which is exponentially longer than you can say.”
“Touché, but at least I’m not sleeping with someone who is already married.” Sierra gave extra emphasis to the word married.
Emmy finally arrived. “Who’s not sleeping with someone married?”
Matt ignored her question. “She has an open relationship. I’m not one to judge.”
“Ah, we’re talking about Matt and the professor,” Emmy deduced. I pointed my finger to my nose. Bullseye.
“Of course, you’re not going to judge, because you’re fucking her all the time.” Sierra held back nothing regarding her issue with Matt dating his professor. I thought his behavior risky, but I wasn’t as outraged about it as she had become over the course of the semester.
“Exactly. And what’s wrong with that? Everyone’s consenting.” This argument was stuck on rewind.
“Are you shitting me? Where are your morals? Don’t you have any ounce of decency?” Sierra shredded her napkin, waiting for Matt to defend himself.
“Listen, sweetheart. Don’t be jealous I’m getting some, and you’re not. Doesn’t give you the right to shame me into feeling guilty about my relationship. We’re all adults in this, and her husband is screwing some chick at his work. And they’re still happily married. No one’s getting hurt. Just back off.”
“First of all, I’m getting plenty, asshole. Second, no one’s claiming they’re getting hurt. At least not to you,” Sierra spat back.
My head wearied from watching the verbal ping-pong match. “Give it a rest, you guys.” I shook my head. “I’m gonna see what’s taking Nick so long.”
“I’ll come with,” Emmy volunteered. I wondered if Sierra and Matt noticed us leaving because I still heard them going at it when we left.
“What is up with them?” Emmy asked as we made our way to the bar.
“They must get off on goading each other. It’s not exactly 24/7 at the house. But, certain things rile Sierra. And Matt can be an asshole, as you know.”
“I suppose you’re right. It seems like it’s gotten worse over the past couple months. More like, since the beginning of the semester.”
We made our way to the bar, and I craned my neck to find Nick. He had our drinks in front of him, but leaned over the bar, deep in conversation. I crept a little closer and saw a petite woman mixing a drink, smiling back at him, before passing the drink to another guy next to Nick.
“When did you say you started working here again?” I heard Nick ask, unable to hear her response because some weirdo came behind me, and grinded into me.
“Um, excuse me.” Who knew I’d encounter Dapper Dan with way too much Drakkar Noir.
Spray and walk. That’s all you need, dude.
“Hey, baby. You wanna come back to my table? I’ll get you whatever you want.”
“Not happening tonight. But thanks,” I said. I returned my attention back toward Nick, who so far ignored the situation. He must be digging this chick.
I swiveled around to get a better look and envied her badass angled bob dyed jet black. And her flawless creamy skin. All the guys at the bar were vying for her attention because her face could be plastered on Cosmo.
“Hey, baby. Let’s try again. I’m Joey and you’re coming with me. I’ll make your night one you’ll never forget.” He grabbed my arm and pulled me toward his chest. My head dizzied from the overpowering smell oozing from his body. And they thought I stunk earlier today? I was a soap commercial compared to this guy.
“Let me go!” Adrenaline kicked-in from his manhandling.
“Listen, asshole, let go of my friend.” Emmy may be small, but she had the capacity to create a scene if she wanted.
Besides, Nick could kick pretty much anyone’s ass, unless they were a higher level black belt than him. Before the guy responded to Emmy, Nick finally chimed in on our conversation. “Hey, man, why don’t you make a wise choice, and listen to the lady.”
“Listen, dickwad, I staked her first. Go back to your own bitch behind the bar.” Oooh, bad move by Joey boy.
“I’d try again.” Another voice chimed in, causing me to gasp as Gavin hovered over me.
“Who the fuck are you?” Joey asked.
“Her fucking boyfriend.” He stepped forward, towering a head taller than the douchebag. “And if I see your fucking ugly face even look at her, I won’t be afraid to cause permanent damage.”
“Dude, I’m friends with the owner. Don’t fuck with us.” Nick punctuated the lop-sidedness of the situation. No doubt the night would end with Drakkar-boy getting his ass pommeled. Not to mention said owner loved Nick and would probably join in on the ass kicking. Maybe not, but he would at least throw this Joey guy out once the ass kicking concluded.
Drakkar boy assessed Gavin and Nick. “Don’t know what you see in the fucking bitch.” He flung his hands in the air like he tossed me away, before retreating into the crowd.
Gavin started to attack, but Nick held him back. “Scumbag’s not worth it, mate.”
“Well, jolly good fun.” Nick patted my back. “I’ll leave you two at it.” Nick delivered my drink and turned to give Emmy hers. “Shall we?” With drinks in tow, he held out his elbow for Emmy to loop her arm, escorting her back to the table.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I hissed.
“We’re talking. I gave you your space, and now you’re hearing me out.” Gavin wasn’t shitting around, based on the intensity of his tone.
“Gavin, I already told you. I can’t do this anymore. It hurts too much.” I turned to head back to our table.
“Will you—” Gavin seized my shoulder and released. When I turned to face him, his hands were curled before they opened and settled on my shoulders again.
His tone softened. “Will you please listen and let me explain? And then you can decide what you want to do. You owe me an opportunity to explain.”
“Fine. Talk.”
“Not here.” He grabbed my drink and escorted me over to the table. Upon seeing Gavin, Matt stood up.
“What the fuck is he doing here?”
“My sentiments exactly.” I grabbed the drink from Gavin and gulped down a third of the daiquiri before brain freeze took over.
Nick pulled the hem of Matt’s shirt. “Sit down, mate. It’s cool, I invited him.”
Matt turned toward Nick. “What the fuck, man?”
“She needs to hear him out.” He lifted his brows, shoving a beer at Matt.
I thought was Sierra the traitor, forcing me to the club. But Nick? Pure travesty. He was going down. Even if he did kinda help me out with the Joey situation. Maybe I’ll cut him a little slack. A very little.
I turned toward Sierra. “Did you know about this?”
She pasted a very feeble, pathetic smile onto her mouth. “Maybe a little?” Still a traitor.
My eyes roved over to Emmy who shook her head vehemently, eyes widened. At least she plead ignorance with this staged intervention.
“What the fuck, Sierra?” Matt now turned his attention toward her.
“Is that your expression of the night, Matt? What the fuck?” She mimicked in a deep voice.
“I’ve had it with all of you, Fricking A.” I turned toward the traitors. “You guys are in deep shit later and owe me lots of chocolate chip cookie dough and Thai food.”
“Quit antagonizing everyone,” I yelled at Matt.
Finally, I faced Gavin. “Make it quick. You’ve got five minutes. I’m not even sure you deserve that.” I took another gulp of my daiquiri, slammed the glass on the table, and stomped toward the exit.
Once outside, Gavin grabbed my hand and marched us toward the back of the building.
“I was this close to sending him to the hospital. I’m not kidding, you better let me teach you some self-defense moves or take a class.” With feet pounding the pavement, he only took a couple steps before he would change direction.
“Listen. Gavin.” The words coming out in staccato while I pointed at him. “I’m fine and could take a guy down if they tried to attack me. Besides, you have no say in what happens to me anymore. You lost protection privileges the moment you left me for your non-girlfriend.”
He stopped pacing and stalked toward me, his chest puffed out ready for battle, his finger stabbing the air with every syllable. “I asked you to stay. You’re the one who left. Because you’re too afraid of what we have.”
“Bullshit.” My lips trembled.
“Then, why are you still running away?” He closed in. Close enough I couldn’t help but consume his clean yet rugged earthy smell. It took all my strength not to fall into him. But I was still pissed.
“Me running away? Are you shitting me?” I asked as I jabbed his chest. “You’re the one who keeps leaving.”
“If you give me a fucking chance I’d explain it to you.” He encased me now, his hands on either side of my head against the brick.
“Why should I?” My heart pounded as if I had an entire percussion section trying to escape my chest.
“This is why.” He collided his mouth with mine, devouring me.
As much as I wanted to push him away, my traitorous body seemed to melt. He roamed his hands over my body before one hand entwined my hair at the nape of my neck, the other cupped my breast. Finally, he wrapped his hands around my ass and pinned me against his chest.
He wreaked havoc on my mouth, his tongue coaxing mine to dance, and I gave in. When he kissed me, everything felt good and right and sent shivers of pleasure exploding through my entire body. Screw him and his gifted mouth. Gavin slowed the pace and used his teeth and lips to suck on my lower lip before letting go.
He leaned his forehead against mine. “I’m taking you home. No excuses, no distractions.”